There’s something so in-your-face militaristic about the name “The Military Channel,” something aggressive and armored that may keep conscious objectors to Discovery’s sister channel away. Perhaps that’s why the channel is undergoing a makeover, rebranding as “American Heroes Channel.” In brief, they’re broadening the brand, expanding beyond battlefields to all sorts of heroism:

“From the heroes of Omaha Beach, to the scientists who worked tirelessly during the Space Race, to the SEAL Team Six takedown of Osama Bin Laden, to a young Marine who saved lives during Hurricane Katrina.”

The revamp begins March 3, with “Against the Odds,” a new six-part series narrated by Rob Lowe that will chronicle “real life bands of brothers” from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq.

Joanne Ostrow has been watching TV since before "reality" required quotation marks. "Hill Street Blues" was life-changing. If Dickens, Twain or Agatha Christie were alive today, they'd be writing for television. And proud of it.